2007-08 Calendar and Parent Handbook - Quakertown Community ...

COMMUNITY EDUCATION
ADULT EVENING SCHOOL PROGRAM
Community Education is a concept in which local agencies
work together to provide appropriate and necessary services for
all of their constituents. To this end, Quakertown Community
School District works with agencies, such as Bucks Co. and
Lehigh Carbon Community Colleges, local businesses, and the
county’s Drug and Alcohol Commission.
Emerging from these cooperative efforts have been college
credit courses offered in the high school, a first-grade water safety
program for our youngsters, and career education materials for
our instructional program.
Healthy Community/Healthy Youth is a national organization
with a local emphasis in Quakertown. The main focus of the group
is to help our youth grow emotionally and socially through the
development of “The Forty Assets.” For information about this
program, contact Mr. Ray Fox at 215-536-6649 or visit
www.justcommunity.org.
As part of the Adult Evening School Program, the district offers
remedial work in mathematics and reading for adults through
its General Educational Degree (GED) preparation classes.
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are also offered, as
well as a wide variety of general interest, recreational, physical
fitness and computer classes. AARP offers a certified classroom
refresher course for senior citizens. The American Heart
Association (AHA) offers certified basic training in CPR.
A listing of Adult Evening School offerings is available on
the district’s website at www.qcsd.org each August and
January. A printed copy of the brochure may be obtained by
calling 215-529-2001.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
The prime purpose of a school volunteer program is to enrich
and extend the learning experience of the students.
Each year, parents, residents, and senior citizens give a few
hours per week to help the children of the Quakertown
community. Volunteers are utilized as tutors, typists, and clerical
aides. Another type of volunteer is a resource person who shares
a particular skill, experience, or career with students.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact a building
principal at the telephone numbers listed on the back page of
this calendar.
GOLD CARD
Senior citizens (60 years or over) are issued a Gold Card,
which entitles them to attend a home athletic event, play, or
General Information
musical production free of charge; they may also enroll in community
education programs for half-price, when applicable.
Questions about obtaining a Gold Card should be directed to
the district receptionist at 215/529-2001.
For more information about the Quakertown Community
School District, please visit our website at:
http://www.qcsd.org
PARENT/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Parents are encouraged to join their child’s teacher/parent
organization (TPO). It is an excellent way for parents to acquaint
themselves with the school and its teachers. There are many
rewarding programs sponsored by local TPO’s that benefit the
children of Quakertown.
Also, we have a number of committees that were established
to assess the needs of the school system.
ATTENDANCE
Children between the ages of eight and seventeen are
required by law to attend school. Once a parent elects to send his
child to school, the child must attend continuously until he
becomes seventeen years of age.
State law requires a student to furnish a written explanation of
any absence on the day he returns to school. Students must
attend school unless they are legally excused. We ask that
parents request early dismissals only in case of emergency.
Doctor and dentist appointments should be made after school,
if possible.
VISIT YOUR SCHOOLS
Parents are encouraged to visit any of the eleven
Quakertown Community schools or other district facilities.
When visiting a school, please sign in at the office and get a
visitor’s badge. This procedure improves security at all of our
facilities.
UPPER BUCKS PARENTING CENTER
This organization was formed to help parents become
better parents. For more information, contact Beth Nichols at
215-538-4797.
QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY
EDUCATION FOUNDATION, INC.
This non-profit group was formed to provide unique and
meaningful programs for students. Visit www.qcsd.org for
more information.
KINDERGARTEN ADMISSION
Children must have reached the age of five on or before
August 31 of any given year to be eligible for kindergarten in
September of that year. For proof of age, parents must present a
birth certificate, hospital form, or notarized statement indicating
the birthdate. The medical history, including the immunization
record, must also be presented at the time of registration.
Children must have reached the age of six on or before
August 31 of any given year to be eligible for first grade in
September of that year. Children who are already enrolled in
kindergarten in the district need not register for first grade.
Children who have attained the age of five years between
September 1 and October 31 may be permitted early admission to
kindergarten if they pass a readiness test required by school
policy. Parents must pay the cost of the testing.
Parents who want their children tested should contact one
of the elementary school principals as early as possible in
the spring.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
The Pennsylvania Dept. of Health requires that all students
must receive the proper immunization shots before they will be
permitted to enter school in the fall.
Every student in grades K-12 must be immunized, unless
exempt for medical or religious reasons.
Parents must show proof of the following immunizations:
three or more doses of polio vaccine; four or more doses of
tetanus-diphtheria vaccine, one of which must given after the
fourth birthday; three doses of hepatitis B vaccine; and two
doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR). Evidence of varicella
(chicken pox) immunity is also required.
SCHOOL HOURS
Senior High School
& Freshman Center 7:30 a.m. - 2:25 p.m.
Middle School 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Elementary School 8:50 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.